Building my first AR

So I bought a stripped DPMS lower recently on a whim from a local private seller. I've been doing my homework as to what exactly I want out of it, which is a bit tough as I haven't really handled AR-15s before. Think of this as an urban E&E weapon, relatively short & quick handling, not a range queen or precision weapon. So far, this is what I think I want out of the build:

I think PSA has a good reputation for ammo. I haven't heard anything about their ARs, but, I don't really keep up with that stuff.

I have assumed you have done research on AR-15.com..... There is a how-to pdf there on building kits

This kits seems to have some important ingredients, namely MIL-SPEC components and M4 feed ramps. It would be a sweet deal if the barrel were 4150. But, for the money........ (There was a barrel post on here a few days ago) it beats having a baseball bat.

I went this route after I read OSA and bought a Stag kit and later found out some of the parts were not MIL-SPEC. Not a big deal...but, I would rather have everything MIL-SPEC....just my preference.

That sounds like you have done some research. That is the minimum in specs IMHO.

There are some other, more picky, details to think about-

- Barrel steel- not all are created equal and not all are Mil-Spec
- MPI Testing- lessens you chances of a dud
- Consider a Mid-Length gas system- while not mi-spec, it has been tuned perfection in terms of reliability and softening the wear on the carbine
- Mil-Spec diameter buffer tubes- gives the greatest selection of after-market stocks
- H-buffer- currently the standard for buffer weight- maybe consider an H1
- Don't dis the superlights. I have a Super-light barrel that will shoot into 1" all day with an ACOG and 69 gn HPBT projectiles. Weight is a delicate balance.

"Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: [...] as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."Joshua 24:15

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"As a friend says, always reach first for the obvious answer in a puzzle. If you hear hoof-beats, think horses, not zebras."

In my builds, I am more of a parts scrounger. I look for good deals on the heart of the system (barrel and BCG). Lowers of good manufacture are, generally, GTG (watch for tight mag wells). LPKs can be tricky- I say go with any brand name that isn't DPMS or Oly. If you compare DPMS next to any other brand (Colt, Bushmaster, Armalite, Stag, RRA, etc) you can see the difference. Unfortunately, DPMS is the cheapest and most plentiful. Oly LPKs appear to be hand ground by a monkey (I used to live down the road from them and have some other experiences with them for another time, btw). Uppers are generally ok from any major manufacturer (I prefer CMT/Stag). Just be sure to match the upper with the feed ramps you have on your barrel extension. M4 feed ramps aren't a deal breaker on a barrel IMHO. We got along fine without them for some 30+ years. Utilizing serviceable magazines completely eliminates the need. Just be sure to match whichever with the correct upper.

"Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: [...] as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."Joshua 24:15

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"As a friend says, always reach first for the obvious answer in a puzzle. If you hear hoof-beats, think horses, not zebras."

Well, now I'm reconsidering the whole kit approach. With money being as tight as it is, I may buy parts as cash becomes available and build the rifle over a period of a few months. This wouldn't necessarily be cheaper, but it would allow me to really customize it to the specs I want.

Well, now I'm reconsidering the whole kit approach. With money being as tight as it is, I may buy parts as cash becomes available and build the rifle over a period of a few months. This wouldn't necessarily be cheaper, but it would allow me to really customize it to the specs I want.

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That's what I did.

The biggest part of the learning for me was assembling the Lower Receiver Parts. [I bought a complete upper so I don't know if that might have been a bigger learning experience.]

After assembling the lower receiver, I now know there are springs and retaining pins in the "oddest of places". It seems real important to know those places and learn how to not lose the tiny springs and retaining pins. Just recently, I was real lucky my daughter was helping me add a sling mount on the buffer tube... she found the tiny spring in just a few seconds :^) -- I might have been ordering new parts w/o her help.

"...And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." John 6:39-40

I'd look into a Barnes Precision Machine (BPM) upper. A new kid on the block offering a very accurate rifle.

Heraclitus:
“Out of every one hundred men, ten shouldn't even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.”

After assembling the lower receiver, I now know there are springs and retaining pins in the "oddest of places". It seems real important to know those places and learn how to not lose the tiny springs and retaining pins. Just recently, I was real lucky my daughter was helping me add a sling mount on the buffer tube... she found the tiny spring in just a few seconds :^) -- I might have been ordering new parts w/o her help.

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"Education" is an important bi-product of DIY. The knowledge to know you can replace / fix anything on it is reassuring.

"Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: [...] as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."Joshua 24:15

Click to expand...

"As a friend says, always reach first for the obvious answer in a puzzle. If you hear hoof-beats, think horses, not zebras."

"...And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." John 6:39-40

Stang--better do a comparison of battery life among ACOG, EOTech, and AimPoint. That's the #1 reason I went with Aimpoint...battery life. Actually, it was #1.5. Price was in there as well. I couldn't afford an ACOG...you can buy two STAGs for just one ACOG setup.